AK builds coming up

[dudish]

I bought a few Romanian AK kits from APEX parts last week after I saw the $120 price tag. I put one together last year and had a good time doing it. Not nearly as daunting as I had expected. Last time I used a Nodak Spuds receiver. Great product.


This time I hope to bend some receivers to save on initial costs and transfer fees. Does anyone have any experiance with bending their own receiver? I think it would be difficult to beat the quality of nodak, but the cost incentive is there plus the experiance wouldnt be bad.

 

[Boiled Owl]

We built a yugo underfolder and a romanian on older kits this winter. Bent both receivers from flats. When you bend the flats it's difficult to get every hole aligned perfectly. It took quite a bit of fitting and putzing around to get them right.
I encountered problems with the rails. They should be spot welded in. I don't have a spot welder nor did I want to buy one. I used a TIG welder and put 4 small welds on each rail. Made the mistake of aligning the right rail with the punched hole in the receiver (going on assumption!) After welding, discovered the rail was too low as it allowed the bolt to hit the left side of the magazine. Grrr! More re-work. On the second build we actually elongated the hole in the rail to be able to weld it in the correct position. All in all it was a decent experience...but not a "walk in the park" by any means.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

If you go over to The AK Forum (The AK Forum) or Gunco (Gunco.net - Online Firearm Community), they both have AK DIY forums with "how-to" info and pictures describing how various people put theirs together and they're happy to give advice to noobs.

 

[dudish]

Thanks for the input. I have been looking on different ak building websites for some time. I am still up in the air as to bend or not. I have read experiences from each end of the spectrum. The key is finding or building a bending jig. At that point i may just pull the trigger.

 

[Naptown]

I've done a couple from flats. If you have built one with a completed receiver, then at least you won't be learning all of that at once. It's not too bad. I have a 12 ton press and a spot welder if you want to rent them for a short period instead of buying. PM me with any interest.

 

[dudish]

thanks for the offer Naptown. That would be great. If I cannot find someone closer to Jeffersonville then I will PM you.

 

[Shootin'IN]

If you are going to do just one build I would say go with the nodak.
But for more than one or do more in the future I would use the tapco flat without the trunnion rivet holes. Just drill the holes as you need them.
Here is a video of just what is needed to bend a flat.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDppu3Mcj6E&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDppu3Mcj6E&feature=related[/ame]
And here is the new AK builder bending jig.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdnQ1Yei_4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdnQ1Yei_4[/ame]

 

[Naptown]

If you are going to do just one build I would say go with the nodak.

That's SOUND advice. Please plan on building 3+ if you are going to invest in the tools and knowledge curve. You can always sell the equipment after you use it and recoup some of the initial costs. Unfortunately, I have hung onto a ton of stuff in case I find the time to build another. I just haven't found the time.

Starting with a nodak is a great idea. If you like it, build more from flats.

 

[dudish]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H5EGr0gzdk]YouTube - AK-47 bending jig best on the market AKM receiver flat bender[/ame]

This is my favorite jig that I have found so far. I should be able to make this from scrap on my work bench. It doesnt get any easier. I do think i will be making enough that would justify the cost.

 

[dudish]

18" Bending Brake

or this with 2 c clamps and a strait edge stock

 

[noobert]

The creator of that jig said to reinforce the brake by welding more metal on it